Kittycat88 wrote:Our last month...if the project will stay open until end of June?? Hoping to squeeze a few more pay days into the bucket. We can really make a difference in a child's life. And for Johhny....wow...

Actually, Kitty, the project is in its final days--we'll be closing right after Johnny's birthday.

Last year, we ran the Birthday Project through the entire month of June and closed it a few days into July, to allow time for July 1st paychecks to clear so Zoners could make one last contribution.

This year, we began the project a month earlier--the 1st of May--to time it so we could close it on Johnny's birthday. That way, the Zone could send his birthday gift much closer to the actual occasion. A little detail that I overlooked last year, but this year, our timing will be better. Live and learn.

So Zoners who wish to donate to this year's Birthday Project have a few more days . . . .

Part-Time Poet

Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves. -- J. M. Barrie

I just visited PayPal and made my donation. As I pressed, the 'donate now' button, I said, with my mouth,'Happy Birthday, Johnny!' and said a prayer, in my heart, for all the sick children who have been, are, or will be patients at this fine hospital.

Just a few quick and somewhat selfish, questions.
1. How will the donation be made? Will there be some type of ceremony?
2. Will Johnny be notified of the donation made in his name? If, so, how?
3. Is anybody else out htere greedily hoping that we get another thank you letter from Johnny this year?

Thanks again for all the research done on selecting this charity and to all the other Zoners who have given so generously in honor of such a fine individual. I feel proud to be just a tiny part of a mighty group that can share in our admiration of Johnny and hopefully help such a special group of young patients and their families.

Linda M wrote:I just visited PayPal and made my donation. As I pressed, the 'donate now' button, I said, with my mouth,'Happy Birthday, Johnny!' and said a prayer, in my heart, for all the sick children who have been, are, or will be patients at this fine hospital.

Just a few quick and somewhat selfish, questions. 1. How will the donation be made? Will there be some type of ceremony?

Ceremony? Only in our hearts.

After the project closes, I will transfer the contents of the Paypal account to my bank and have a cashier's check made for the hospital. I'll mail it to Tom Young, who is in charge of fundraising at American Family Children's Hospital, with a letter explaining the meaning of the project.

Linda M wrote: 2. Will Johnny be notified of the donation made in his name? If, so, how?

I'll do it the same way I did it last year, Linda M. When the hospital receives our gift, they will acknowledge it with a thank you letter. I will send a copy of the hospital's letter, along with a list of donors and a letter to Johnny explaining why we selected this charity, and send it to Johnny enclosed in a birthday card from the Zone. It's a simple procedure, but each step does take time--always more time than you think. Last year it was more than two months before I received a response from GOSH acknowledging our gift.

Linda M wrote:3. Is anybody else out htere greedily hoping that we get another thank you letter from Johnny this year?

I have no idea. I do hope that everyone who is giving is doing so from a desire to thank Johnny and wish him well, and for the pleasure of helping others and alleviating a bit of suffering. That is surely reason enough, and it is the only reason we sponsor the Birthday Project. This is our gift to Johnny, and we expect nothing in return.

We were extremely fortunate to hear directly from Johnny last year, but there is no reason to expect that it should ever happen again--he's a very busy man--so I hope you chase that thought out of your mind. We have already been so blessed by his kindness, we could not wish for more.

Part-Time Poet

Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves. -- J. M. Barrie